ALAPPUZHA/KOZHIKODE— Authorities in Kerala have sounded a high alert following the confirmation of Bird Flu (H5N1) in multiple regions of the state, prompting the immediate initiation of containment protocols. In Alappuzha district, the virus was detected in Ward 7 of the Muhamma grama panchayat, leading to a high-level emergency meeting chaired by District Collector Inbasekar Kalimuthu. Following the meeting, officials announced that as many as 5,961 domestic birds located within a one-kilometre radius of the epicentre will be culled to prevent further transmission. These culling operations, conducted by rapid response teams from the Animal Husbandry Department, are scheduled to commence on the morning of March 21.
The outbreak in Alappuzha follows closely on the heels of similar reports from Kozhikode district, where the H5N1 strain was confirmed in Panangad, Olavanna, Kakkodi, and Perumanna panchayats, as well as the Nallalam area under the Kozhikode Corporation. Laboratory testing of samples from these locations confirmed the highly pathogenic strain, leading to a coordinated effort across various government departments, including Disaster Management. Disaster Management Deputy Collector Jinu Punnose and other senior officials have been tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Government of India’s 2021 action plan for avian influenza, which includes the strict disposal of carcasses and contaminated materials.
Public health advisories have been issued across the affected districts, urging residents to report any unusual mass deaths of birds to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately. Officials have stressed the importance of personal protection, advising anyone handling dead birds to wear masks and gloves. For disposal, authorities recommend that carcasses be buried in deep pits and treated with disinfectants such as lime and bleaching powder. Poultry farms in the surveillance zones have been directed to strictly adhere to biosecurity measures, and the transport or sale of poultry products from these areas has been temporarily restricted to curb the spread of the virus.
While no human transmission has been reported so far, the state health department has asked the public to remain vigilant and avoid contact with sick or dead birds. The administration is closely monitoring the situation, with veterinary teams deployed to conduct door-to-door surveillance and collect further samples from surrounding areas. The ongoing outbreak is a significant concern for the state’s poultry industry, which has faced periodic challenges from the H5N1 virus in recent years, leading to intensified efforts to safeguard both animal health and the livelihoods of local farmers.
